AN ABORTIVE START 3

What could men, whether negroes or others, think of the

civilization we endeavour to introduce amongst them, if its

first benefits are volleys of bullets, blood-shed — in a word, war?

The reader must not, however, misunderstand me. It

has often been necessary, it will still long be necessary, even in conformity with our most honourable and elevated

sentiments, to have recourse in certain cases to war, to

enforce our ideas of justice. In the present state of barbarism of African races, especially where the false

civilization of Islam has penetrated, the moral elevation

of the lower classes is injurious to the material interests of directors, chiefs, sorcerers, or marabouts ; and against them, of course, force must be used.

The motto chosen by the Royal Niger Company — was

it in irony, or for the sake of rhythm ? — " Pax, Jus, Ars," is certainly most beautiful, most complete, most suitable, for

a people who dream of combining venal profits with humanitarian ameliorations in their colonization of native

districts. This motto cannot, however, be acted upon without some trouble and conflict. Peace? How about

the successful slave raids undertaken under the cloak of

religion, on which the Samorys, the Amadus, the chief of Sokoto and their bands depend for their livelihood? Justice? Suppose the races oppressed because of their

very gentleness, ground down because of their productive-

ness, refuse to obey their conquerors, Toucouleurs, Fulahs,

or whoever they may be ; will the captive find himself the equal of the master? Art? the Knowledge and the Toil which should win freedom? Grant them, and what will become of the sorcerers, and the starving marabouts with

their impostures and their mummeries? There have been,

there inevitably will be again, prolonged and obstinate resistance. That resistance must be overcome, and the